Ted Jefferies – The Highworth Boy Scout With A Secret, Passes Away

 Obituaries  No Responses »
Mar 232014
 

We are very sad to say that Ted Jefferies has passed away. He left us on Friday 21st March at his home in Highworth.

Ted was a Boy Scout during WW2. Too young to enlist, his war was spent in the rural market town of Highworth.

Ted was recruited to his role as a secret messenger for the Auxiliaries. Too young to sign the Official Secrets Act, he had to give the Scout’s oath as he was sworn to secrecy. As a Boy Scout, he was unlikely to attract suspicion or attention from the invading Nazis, but his uniform was easily identifiable by those agents who trained at Coleshill.

On 25.3.14 we spoke to BBC Wiltshire about Ted. Here the short interview here

Read about Ted’s amazing wartime role here

A Fitting Tribute at GHQ Coleshill

 Events, General, Obituaries  No Responses »
Mar 082014
 

Aux Memorial web

National Trust volunteers, Bob Marchant, John Driskell and Roger Green have created this amazing mosaic memorial next to the replica Operational Base at GHQ Coleshill.

Bob created the mosaic which is really impressive.

Under the main Aux badge are the initials of all those that have been involved in the build of the new OB.

A great effort and a fitting tribute to the men and women of the British Resistance.

Mabel Stranks Honoured

 Events, General, Press  No Responses »
Aug 202013
 

Today a panel detailing the history of the Aux Units and postmistress Mabel Stranks was unveiled at the old Post Office in Highworth.

Me and Justin

The panel was unveiled by Justin Tomlinson, Swindon North MP and long time supporter of CART and now gives the public a real insight into the role that Mabel Stranks played and adds to the plaque that is already placed outside the former post office. You can see the full report including audio, video and images of the day here

‘The Postmistress Who Was A Spy’ BBC Film From 2006

 General, Press, Research  No Responses »
Feb 022013
 

Whilst preparing research material for a new information board CART is producing on Mabel Stranks and the Highworth Post Office, we came across this film from 2006. It was part of the BBC’s ‘History Mysteries’ series and was aired on BBC2 on the 24/12/2006. Whilst the film is inaccurate in places they have interviewed some good people along the way to give a broad insight into the Auxiliary Units. Well worth a watch.